Stage-setting.



F. IVI. SII/HTH L W. A. ROBINSON.

STAGE SEITIPIGI APPLICATION FILED AUG.24| I9I5.

Ilmmedl Nov., 27, ISIN.

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F. M. SMITH @I w. A.

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STAGE SETTING.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.

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LTED dllieilfd PATENT @Fllllllliit FREDERICK M. SMITH, OF MILTON, AND WILLAM A. ROBINSON, GF BOSTON, MASSA- CHUSETTS.

STAGE-SETTING.

l Application filed August 24, 1915.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that ive, FREDERICK M. SMITH and finden A. ROBINSON, citizens of the United States, and residents, respectively, of Milton, `county of Norfolk, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and Boston, county of Suffolk, in said Commonwealth, have invented an Improvement in Stage-Settings, of which the following description, in connection with the accoinpanying drawings, iis 'a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts. j

This invention relates to stage-settings.

One of the objects and aims of the invention is to provide a stage-setting, including a frame, which sliallbe portable, adjustable to all sizes ofstages, adapted to be quickly set up and taken down, and Which can be used Without in any ivay inarring or defacing the lio-oi' or Walls of the place in which it isset up- These and-other objects of the invention Willbestbe understood frointhe following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings of one embodiment of thc invention, selected for the purpose of illustration, the scope of the invention being more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure `l is a diagrammatic vieu7 of one forni of portable `frame embodying features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side vieiv of the frame shown in Fig. l, illustrating the manner in which certain parts ofthe stage-setting, such as Wings, borders, border lights, curtains and drops,are applied to said frame in accordance ivith the invention; l

F ig. 3 is a longitudinal section of a Wing with its T -hanger;

Fig. 4 isla cross-section of the carriage upon which the Wing is suspended by its T-hanger;

Fig. 5 is a top plan vieu' of the table by Whichthe carriage slioivn in Fig. et is sustained;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic detail of the arrangement of the cords for operating the borders, drops, curtains, ceiling, etc.;

Fig? is a. plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a detail of the cyclorama roll and operating mechanism,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov.. 27, i917.,

Serial No. 47,136.

Fig. 9 is a detail of the cyclorama guide at the entrance to the guideivay;

Fig. 10 is a detail of a hinge member of an edge section `to the main section of a Wing;

F ig. l1 is a detail of a forni of extension or folding Wing.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, in the embodiment of the invention herein shown for illustrative purposes, the portable frame comprises four uprights or standards 2, 4, 6 and 8, provided with feet l0 adapted to rest upon the vfloor or stage Where the stage-setting is to be set up. The under surfaceof said feet will preferably be covered with corrugated rubber or other similar material to `prevent injury to or marring of the floor upon which said standards rest. Herein the standards 2, at, (E and 8 -will preferably be formed each one of a plurality of telescoping sections, herein tivo o and o, `saidistandards being thus adjustw able longitudinally and adapted to be held in adjusted position by means of clamping screws 12, as Will be readily understood. Thelieight of the stage -setting may thus be adjusted to suit the exigencies of any sta ge. or space in which the invention is used.

At their upper ends the standards and -il are detachably secured toa connecting memberll, and similarly the standardsI (3 and S are detachably connected at their upper ends to a `connecting member 1G. Riny suitable means may be used for this purpose, but herein said means comprises rectangular elboivnnion members 18, into which tbe upper ends ofthe standards 2, elf, G and 8 and the ends of said connecting members ll and 16 fit and are held by pins Q0, as will be readily understood, or the ends of said connecting' members may have screw-threaded connection with said unions. Said connect* ing members 14 and `16 Will preferably be made extensible, and to tliatend they are herein shown as formed `in two telescoping sections o, (Z held in adjusted position by any suitable means, such as a clamping screuT 22.

lllhile in accordance with the present invention connecting members, similar to the connecting members le and 1G, could be `used to connect the standards 2, 6, and 4f, 8,

respectively, it is preferred herein to use flexible connecting members for said standards Q, 6, and 4, S, respectively, said flexible connection consisting herein of wire cables 24 and 26 secured their ends to eyes 28, secured in turn in any suitable manner to the inner sides of the elbow-unions 18.

The frame above described serves tosupport all the scenery or scenery-iittingssuch as drops, borders, Aborder lights, ceiling, background, curtains, wings, etc. The drops are herein shown as mounted on rollers 30, mounted for free rotation at their opposite ends in brackets 32-which partially embrace the connecting members 14, 16, and can thus be slid along the latter variously to posi tion the drops. Clamping screws 84 serve to hold the drops in adjusted position.

1t will be noted that the rolls 30 act as spacing members or braces to keep the connecting members 14, 16 spaced from each other. Vhile not actually necessary, it is preferable to connect the elbow-unions 18 to the wall or any other rigid abutment.

This may be done by cables 36, 38, which may be provided at either end with eyes to engage h-ooks 40 secured to said elbowunions 18 in any suit-able manner, and to` other hooks not shown attached to the wall. Turn-buckles 42, 42, one of which is shown at the right in Fig. 1, may be used to tighten said cables.

It will be seen that the frame or structure described is reproof, adjustable as to size and can be quickly set up and taken down, and when set up offers an adequate and rigid support for the scenery and scenery fittings. 1t will also be noted that it can be set up and used without injuring or defacing the floor or walls of the space where it is used.

The border-lights 44 are mounted in transversely extending holders secured at their opposite ends in brackets 46, similar to the brackets 32 of the drops and provided with clamping screws 48 whereby said border lights may be adjusted longitudinally of the connecting rods 14 and 16 and secured in adjusted position. Said border-lights comprisebattens rendered reproof in any suitable manner, as by coating with ireproof paint or metal. The lamp wires are contained in metal pipes provided with metal sockets for the lights, the usual separate circuits of different colored lights being used.

The standards 2,74, 6 and 8, and the con,- necting members 14 and 16 will preferably be made of iron tubing, as these have the advantage of being fireproof and of relative lightness, while possessing the required rigidity.

The rea-r drop, which usually forms thc background, and the ceiling, when a ceiling is used, are rolled upon rollers 30 and 50, respectively, and said rollers may be mounted for rotary movement in brackets 52 similar in construction and operation to the brackets 82 of' the other drops, and secured in adjusted position on the connecting members 14, 16 by set screws 54. The drops may be raised and lowered independently by any suitable means, for example by cords passing over sheaves 33 on the drop-rollers on the one hand, over sheaves 35 mounted on the standard 8, and over sheaves 97 of which a plurality are mounted on said standard 8.

The borders are rolled on rollers, and in order to raise and lower the borders, of which three only, 55, 57, 59 are shown herein, although more could be provided if required, the roller of the one nearest the front of the stage, designated by 55, is provided at one end with a sheave or pulley'56, while the rollers of each of the other borders 57,

59 are provided with two sheaves at one end,

is connected to the sheave 58 on the next border roller by a 'belt 80, while another s leave 60 on the same border roller with the sheave 58 is connected by a belt 82 with the sheave 62 on the next succeeding border roller. Another sheave 61 on the same border roller as the sheave 62 is connected by a belt cr cord 92, which passes over one of two peripheral grooves on a sheave 94 mounted in any suitable manner on the standard 8. A cord 95 passes over the other groove ot said sheave 94 and over one of the sheaves 97 on the standard 8, and it will be seen that, by operating the cord 95, all the borders can be raised or lowered simultaneously. Y

lVhen a ceiling is used, the borders will all be raised and the ceiling will then be unwound from the roller 50 and stretched along under said raised borders between the connectingl members 14, 16. To this end, cords 96 and 98 are secured to the free edge of the ceiling and are conducted backwardly, the cord 96 over a pulley 100 mounted in any suitable manner on the connecting member 16, and the cord 98 passing over a pulley 102 mounted in any suitable manner on the connecting member 14, said cords 96 and 98 extending downwardly from` said pulleys 100 and 102v and being secured in any suitable manner, as for example, by cleats104, 106. At one end the ceiling roller 50 will preferably be provided with a sheave 108, over which passes a belt or cord 110, said belt also passing over a sheave 112 and one of the shea-ves 97 mounted upon the standard 8. This acts as a drag as the ceiling is unrolled and enables the ceilingto be rolled up again when not in use.

The curtain 114 willA be rolled upon a roller 116 mounted in brackets 118 removably secured by clamping screws 120 to the forward ends of the connecting members v14 and 16, and said curtain will be raised and lowered in any suitable manner, as by A near/,eee

ineansof a cord "passing over a sheave'122 ceiling requireabsoliitely no head room for their manipulation, which `is a great `advan tage "under many conditions, as will be v vreadily understood by those skilled in the il() 5 art.

One of the features of the-linvention relates to "the `wings and their novel arrangeinent. The wings are hereindesignatedby 124, and in accordance with the invention are suspended from above to the connecting members 14 and 16. To this lend a novel inode or arrangement of 'suspension is used as follows: Each wing has inserted in its upper edge, and secured therein by pins 126,

a T-iron 128. The transverse horizontal 'portion 130 of said T`iron is 'adapted to slide over and rest upon `two rollers 132, rotatably mounted upon studs 134 `secured in the downwardly'extending branches 136 of a yoke 1138 suspended from a 'rod 140 c'arrying a roll 142'at vei-the'rend. The yoke 138 extends upwardly through an opening provided' in the center of a table 144, the rollers 142 resting upon the upper surface ofsaidltable andbeingada-ptedto run in `a groove 146 thereon. The table 144 is sustained a bra'cket'or hanger `148, which ypartially `embraces `the connecting member 14' or 16, as the case may be, so asto-be slidable longitudinally thereof, and can bese cured vin adjustable position thereon by means of a clamping screw 150.

It Vwill `be'noted from the construction just described that each wing can be readily placed in its hanger by sliding the hori- `zo`nta`l portion 130 ofthe T-iro1r128 in `scenery withsections which can be'reversed andthus placed `in `a 'position where they cannot be seen by the audience when their use is not desired. Such sections are usually relativelv narrow `andareirregular along their outer edges to give a better finish `to the edge than would a straight edge. f

Herein one' of the wings,- the one onthe extreme right in Fig. 2, is shown asprovided withv such a portion' or `section along its outer ledge. Herein the'connection of said wir portion totlie wing proper is effected in the following manner: A series of strips of canvas 152, are secured infany suitable manner, preferably by a suitable adhesive, to one side lof the marginal portion of said wing and to the opposite side. of the marginal portion of a section 154 of the character referred. to, lthe adjacentledges of the wing proper and of said section being preferably rounded and 'inclose 'proximity` and parallel to each other "and separated `only by the thickness of the canvas strip extending therebetween. Theends of the alternate strips are attached to opposite `sides of the marginal portions of the two sections. It willbe secn'that the section 154 and wing are thus connected by a sort ofldouble hinge which enables each one to be turned about said hinge into parallelism with the other, if desired, or for them to be placed in anyangular positionrelative toreach other. Also saidhinge is impervious to light. Awing maybe made up of several, infact any practicable number of sections conneeted in the above described manner, see FigL 1,1, the sections being all folded alternately in opposite. directions back upon each other, when the depth of only one section is `desired for the wing, or unfolded to bring two or more sections into use, to form a wall, or the sides of a room, foreXaInple. Onlythe first section will be suspended by the Anovelsuspension shown in 1Fig. 2,the. others being sustained in any suitable inan- `ner, when necessary, as by hooks or the like sliding upon wires extending transversely of the stage and secured at the opposite side to the members 14, 16 of the frame.

Should it be `desired to use a cyclorama, "this can be done by journaling the upper trunnion 153 of the roller 155 carrying the cyclorama y156 in a bearing 158 removably secured to either one of the connecting members 14 or 16, and the lower trunnion 157 of said roller in a bearing '160 provided in a portable base 161. A curved `guideway 162 extends from one connecting member 14 to the other connecting member 16 and the upper edge of the cyclorama secured to a cord ,164 which exceeds in length the'length of the cyclorama by at least the length of the guideway 162, and runs in the dovetailed groove 166 provided in the under surface of said gui'deway. By drawing on the free end of this cord the cyclorama will be drawn in a curved path across, from one side of the stage to the other, into the desired position.

` lhile not essential, yet means will preferably be provided to guide the end of the cyclorama into the end of the guideway 162, said guide means herein comprising downwardly converging guidednembers or rods 168, 168, and vertical parallel guide-menibers 170, 170, said four guide-members being'supported in anysuitable manner, as by rods 172, 172; 174, 174, projecting from the guideway 162 to which they may besecured in any suitable manner. Between the ad] acent lower ends lof the rods 168, 168, and between the vertical parallel guide-members 170, 170 there is suiiicient space. for the passage of the cyclorama, but not for the cord 164, sothat the latter rests upon the lower end portion of the two guide-rods 168, 168 and is securely guided thereby, while the cyclorama is guided between the rods 170, 170 and enters lthe slot of the guideway 162 without diiiiculty. The rods 168 and 170 may be mounted for free rotation in thin holders, if desired. p

The roller 155, upon which the cyclorama is wound, will preferably be provided with means to keep the cyclorama from slipping down or sagging as it is wound upon the roll, and cause it to be wound evenly thereon. To this end, the roll at or near its upper end is provided with a more or less recessed annular portion 176. As the cyclorama is wound` or rolled upon the roll 155, the .upper portion of the cyclorama will be drawn more or less into the recessed portion 176, thus sustaining the whole Wound cyclorama, as will be readily understood.

`The portable base 4161 will preferably consist oii a triangular metal frame adapted to rest on the floor. Said frame may be provided with supports 178, 178 having bearings to receive a shaft 180 provided with a crank 182 at one end and carrying a gear 184 at the other. Said gear mesheswitha horizontally disposed gear secured to the trunnion 157 of the roll155. It will be seen that by turningthe crank 182 the roll 155 may readily be turned to wind the cyclorama thereon.

It will be apparent that it is not indispensable that all of the features ofthe invention be used conjointly, since they may be used separately in various combinations and sub-combinations. It will also be apparent that, while the invention is herein described as embodied in the details illustrated, the invention is not to be considered as circumscribed by or limited to these details, or any of them, but that the said details may be variously modified within the true scope of the invention, which is definitely set Jforth by the claims.

Claims:

1. The combination of a frame; border rolls carrying borders and mounted upon said frame; and common means to raise and lower said borders by rot-ation ofI said border rolls. p

2. The combination of a frame; border rolls mounted upon said frame and carrying borders; and means simultaneously to raise or lower said borders by rotation of said border rolls.

3.7The combination of a stage scener Laan-,ses

supporting frame; a scenery Wing; and means to suspend said wing from` said frame, said means including a pivotal connection whereby said scenery wing can be bodily rotated about a vertical aXis to position it in any vertical; plane desired or to reverse the same. p

4. The Vcombination of a stage scenery supporting frame; scenery; wing; and means to suspend said wing from said frame,;said means including avertical pivotal connection to enable said wing to be bodily rotated about a vertical axis to position 1t in any vertical plane desired, and a sliding connection to enable saidwing to bev slid bodilyvhorizontally in the plane of vthe wing variably'to position said wing in said plane.

5. The combination of a portable frame;

a cyclorama roll, carrying a cyclorama,4

mounted for rotary movement in portable bearings at one side of said trame; a guide- Vway extending from one side of said frame to theV other and adapted to .sustain the cyclorama at its upper edge; andmeans to unroll said cyclorama andposition 1t m said .guideway c l Y v 6. The combination. of a portable frame;

a cyclorama roll, carrying a cyclorama, mounted for rotary movement in portable bearings at onev side ot said trame; a guideway extending from one side of said frame to the other and adapted to sustain the cyclorama at its upper edge; means Vto unroll said cyclorama and position it in said guideway; and portable means to wind up the cyclorama on its roll. Y

7. The combination of a portable frame; a cyclorama roll, carrying a cyclorama7 mounted for rotary movement in portable bearings at one side of said frame; a guideway extending trom oneside of said frame to the other and adapted to Sustain the cyclorama at its upper edge; means to unroll said cyclorama. and` position it in said guideway; and a separate guide for the cyclorama at the entrance of said guideway. l A

8, The combination of a stage scenery supporting frame; a scenery wing section; means to suspend said scenery wing section from said frame, said means including a pivotal connection to enable said Yscenery 'wing section to be rotated Vabout a vertical axis and a sliding connectionto enable said wing section to be slid horizontally variously tovposition said'wing fsection inthe plane thereof; a second scenery wing section; and hinge-like means connecting a vertical edge of one `of said scenery wing sections to a vertical edge oi' the other one, to enable saidsections to be swung relatively to each other. p

9. The combination of a stage scenery `supporting frame; ,a scenery wing section;

iseasse ti means to suspend said scenery .wing section from said.y frame, said means including a pivotal connection to enable saidscenery wing section to be rotated about a vertical axis and a sliding connection to enable said wing section to be slid horizontally variously to position said wing. section in the plane thereof; a second scenery wing section; hinge-like means connecting a verti: cal edge of one of said scenery wing` sections to a vertical edge of the other one, to enable said sections to` be swung relatively to each other; and auxiliary scenery wing suspending means for said second/scenery wing section.

10. The combination. of a stage. scenery supporting frame; a scenery wing; scenery wing suspending means adjustable on said frame and including a pivotal connection, whereby said scenery wing can be bodily rotated about a vertical axis to position it in any vertical plane desired.

11. The combination of a stage scenery supporting frame; a scenery wing; scenery wing suspending means adjustable on said frame, said means `including a vertical pivotal connection to enable said wingito be bodily rotated about a vertical axis for positioning it in anyl vertical plane desired, and a sliding'- connection to enable said wing to be slid bodily horizontally in the plane of the wing, variably to 'position said wing in said plane.

12. The combination of a stage scenery supporting frame; a swiveling hanger suspended on Vsaid frame; a horizontal guide way provided in said hanger and having guide members; a carrier member secured to the top of said scenery wing and supported on said guide members for sliding movement inisaid guide, the construction and arrangement being such that the scenery wing can be bodily rotatedor bodily moved baille ward or forward in its own vertical planeh suitably to position said wingi 13. The combination of a stage scenery supporting frame; a table secured'to said frame member; a hangen suspended for ro.- tary adjustment upon said table; a scenery wing; a carrier member mounted for slid? ing movement in said hanger, the construction and arrangement being such that said scenery wing` can be freely rotated or moved baclrwardly or forwardly in its own plane suitably to position said scenery wing.

14. The combination of a stage scenery supporting frame; a table; a scenery wing; and means to suspend said scenery wing from said frame, said means` including a table secured to said frame; `a hanger, provided with rollers restingon said table and with a portion extending downwardly throughan opening in said table and pro;- rided with `portions cari-ving rollers sup porting by its horizontal flanges a 'l'iron securedto the top of said scenery wing,

15. A demountable, portable, stage scenery supporting frame of fireproof material comprising, in combination, a plurality of standards adapted to rest with their lower ends upon the stage or other supporting surface and eachv consisting of a plurality of rod sections relatively adjustable for varying the length of said standards; means to secure the sections ofa standard in adjusted position; frame members adapted-to extend fromone standard to another, each composed of a plurality of rod sections which are relatively adjustable for varying the length of said frame members; means to secure the rod sections of a frame member in adjusted position; and means demountably to secure thefree ends of af framemember to the, upper portions of two standards.

16. A deinountable,portable, stage scenery supporting frame comprising, in 'combination, standards adapted to rest with their lower ends` upon the stage or other supporting surface and each Consisting of a plurality of sections relatively adjustable to vary the length. of said standards; means to secure the sections of a standard in adjusted position; rigid frame members adapted to extend from one` standard to` another` and each consisting of a plural-ity of sections relatively adjustable to vary the length of the frame member; means to secure` the sections of a rigid frame member in adjusted Position; means Clemouutablv tosecure the freel ends of a rigid frame member to the upper portions of two, standards; and flexible frame members adapted to extend between the upper portions of two adjacent standards.

17. A demountable, portable, stage scenery supporting traine comprisingr in co1nbination', four standards adapted to rest with their lower ends upon the stage or4 other surface and to support the frame at its four corners; two rigid frame members each extending between tlie upper portionsof two standards to form two sides of the frame; two flexible frame members each extending between the upper portions of two stand` ards to form* two other sides of the frame; and means demountably to secure each oi. said frame members to the upper portions of the two standards between which it extends. j

18. A demountable, portable, stage scenery supporting frame comprising, incornbination, four standards adjustable longitudinally to vary the length thereof and adapted to rest with their lower ends upon the stage or other surface to support the frame at its four corners; two rigid frame ineinbers, eachextendng between the upper portions .ofptwo Standards to form two, sides of the frame; two flexible frame members, each extending between thev upper portions of two standards to form two other sides of the frame; and means demountably to secure each of said frame members to the upper portions of the two standards between which it extends.

19. A demountable, portable, stage scenery supporting frame comprising, in combination, four standards adapted to rest with their lower ends upon the stage or other surface and to support the frame at its four corners; two rigid frame members adjustable longitudinally to vary their length, and each extending between the upper portions of two standards to form two sides of the frame; two liexible frame members eachextending between the upper portions of two standards to form two other sides of the frame; and means demountably to secure each of said frame members to the upper portions of the two standards between which it extends.

20. A demountable, portable, stage scenery supporting frame comprising, in combina-- tion, a plurality of standards adapted to rest with their lower ends upon the stage or other surface and to support the frame; a plurality of rigid frame members, each extending between the upper portions of two standards to form side portions of the frame; a plurality of iexible frame members each extending between the upper portions of two standards to form other side portions of the frame; and means demountably to secure each of said frame members to the upper portions of the two standards between which it extends.

21. A demountable, portable, stage scenery supporting frame comprising, in combination, a plurality of standards adapted to rest with their lower ends upon the stage or other surface and to support the frame, said standards being longitudinally adjustable to vary their length; a plurality of rigid frame members, each extending between the upper portions of two standards to form side portions of the frame; a plurality of exible Jframe members also extending between the upper portions of two standards to form other side portions of the frame; and means demountably to secure each of said frame members to the upper portions of the two standards between which it extends.

22. A demountable, portable, stage scenery supporting frame comprising, in combina tion, a plurality of upright standards adapted to rest wit-h their lower ends upon the stage or other surface and to support the frame; a plurality of rigid frame members, each extending between the upper portions of two standards to form side portions of the frame, said rigid frame members being each longitudinally adjustable to vary its length; a plurality of flexiblev frame mem- -bers each'extending between the upper por? tions of two standards to form other side portions of the frame; and means demountably to secure each of said frame members to the upper portions of the two standards between which it extends. Y

23. A demountable, portable, stage scenery supporting frame comprising, in combination, a plurality of standards adapted to rest with their lower ends upon the stage or other surface; a plurality of frame members each adapted to extend from one standard to the next adjacent one; and elbow-union members demountably to secure Athe free ends ot each frame member to the upper portions ot' the two standards between which it extends, said standards and frame members being each composed of a plurality of relatively adjustable rod sections, so that when demounted said standards and frame members can be laid side` by side to occupy little space.

.24. A demountable, portable, stage scenery supporting frame comprising,V in combination, a plurality of rod-standards adapted to rest with their lower ends upon the stage or, other supporting surface; a plurality oi rods adapted to extend from one standard to another; means demountably to secure the free ends of a rod to the upper portion'of the two standards between which it extends, said means including sockets to receive the free ends of the rod and the upper ends of the standards; and means removablyto'secure the free ends of the rod and the upper ends of the standards in said sockets.

25. A demountable, portable, stage-scenery supporting frame, comprising,fin combination, a plurality of rod-standards, each comV` prisingA two telescoping sections and adapted to rest with their lower endsupon the stage or other supporting surface; connecting rods comprising telescoping sections, adapted to extend fromfone standard toanother; means demountably to secure `the free ends of a connecting rod to the upper portion of the two standards between which said rod extends, said connecting means comprising sockets to receive the free ends of the rod and the upperends of the standards; and means to fasten the ends of the connecting rod and of the standards in said sockets. c n

26. A demountable, portable, stage-scenery supporting frame of fireproof material, comprising, in combination, the telescoping standards 2, 4, 6 and 8; the extensible connecting rods 14 and l16 for connecting the upper portion of one of said standards to the next adjacent standard; connecting members 18, provided withv sockets to receive the free ends of said connecting rods and the upper'V ends of said standards; and

lneans to secure the ends of said connecting rods and the upper ends of said standards in said sockets.

27. A dernountable, portable, stage scenery supporting frame comprising, in combination, the upright standards 2, 4, 6, and 8, the rods 14 and 16 for connecting the upper portion of one standard to the next adjacent standard; the flexible connections 24, 26 to extend between one standard and the next adjacent standard; and the securing means 18, 20 for demountably securing said rods and said flexible connections to the top portions of the standards between which they extend.

In testimony whereof, we have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FREDERICK M. SMITH. Vitnesses:

ROBERT I-I. KAMMLER, EDWARD I-I. PALMER,

VILLIAM A. ROBINSON. DAVID B. ROBINSON, CHAS, E. DIMMooK.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patente, Washington, D. C. 

